Thermostatic control



APril 16 1940' B. F. WADDELL 2,197,230

THERMOSTATIC CONTROL Filed Dec. 2o, 1937 e sheets-sheet 1 77 J4 J/f. 76 J] 1 33 3J 3? 7, 40 J0 5? 50 35 j?! 375/ 49 3 32 37 y 95 94x77 5 43 l if y@ 33 i MMM 1 72 l y 45 6 4 73 5539 00) 3J g4 "'l `96 7* f8 77 90 fl j INVENTOR 'l ff @nimm I I B WMLMMM April 16, 1940. B F WADDELL 2,197,230

THERMOSTATIC CONTROL Filed Dec. 20, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 f Y 6g 65 67 55 58 (i F" l," \'l\\ Q l I l I 47 I l Till-L d if 57 J8 Jg 6? 4f J 79 47 66 o 4 g y lNvENToR Im 72 g j M 7g BY MLM MMSWM e ATTORNEYS A-Plil 16, 1940- B. F. WADDELL 2,197,230

'rHERMosTATIc CONTROL Filed nec. 2o, 1937 e sheets-sheet s ATTORNEY5 April 16, 1940- B. F. wADDELL 2,197,230

' THERMOSTATIC CONTROL Filed Dec. 20, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORN EYS Pl'l 15 1940 a. F. wADDELl. 2,197,230

'raERMos'rA'rxc CONTROL l' Filed nec. 2o, 19s? e sheets-sheet 5 ATTORNEYS APT 1'6, 1940- B. F. WADDELL 2,197,230

THERMOSTATIC CONTROL Filed Dec. 20, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet S J3' 6.9 74 l 0 76l 747 ATTO RNEYS l PateuteciAl-.uriA

- UNITED STATES TBEBMOSTATIC CONTROL Demon lf. Waddell, Jackson Heights, N. Y., ao-

signor to The Wilcolator Company, Newark, N. J., a corporation of Delaware Application December 20, 1937. Serial No. 180,710

is claim. (ci. zoo-14o).

'I'his invention relates to regulators for use on heaters, refrigerators and the like to control the temperature within an oven, cooling chamber or similar space. More particularly, the invention is concerned with a novel regulator of this type in which a control element, such as a valve or switch, is movable with a snap action by thermo-responsive means at a selected temperature. The new regulator is of simple construc- 10 tion and is accurate and reliable in operation.

While the principles of the present invention may be employed in connection with valves, switches or other devices which it is desired to regulate, the invention will be described for ilil lustratlve purposes in connection with a thermostatically controlled switch of the so-called "snap" type adapted for controlling the temperature in an oven of a range. It will be understood, however, that the invention is not limited n t0 this use.

, One feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a snap-acting of compact construction which is adapted for sensitive and positive operation without the use of parts requiring delicate adjustment. A snapacting mechanism made in accordance with my invention comprises a member, preferably ilexible, movable laterally about one end which is nxed,vand a compression spring connected to the .o free end of the member and extending outwardly toward the tlxed end thereof. The outer end of the spring is connected to the free end of a laterally movable bar or lever which extends inwardly toward the free end of the flexible memu ber to which the spring is connected. 'I'he spring is thus adapted to exert an expansive force on the flexible member and lever which urges these members away from their fixed ends and thereby subjects the members to tension. Prefero ably, the spring is normally confined in compression with the end thereof which is connected to the lever disposed on one side of the plane of the flexible member, whereby the spring exerts its expansive force on the ilexible member 45 at an angle thereto so as to urge the free end of the member laterally in one direction. The

lever is movable against the expansive action ofv the spring to force the end of the spring connected thereto through the plane of the flexible 50 member to the other side thereof, whereupon the plane of compression of the spring is reversed with respect to the flexible member so that the spring snaps the free end of the flexible member in the opposite direction. is moved back toward its initial position, the

when the lever end of the spring connected thereto is again moved through the plane of the ilexible member to the first` side thereof, so that ,the spring snaps the parts backto their original member and actuating lever may be arranged i0 in substantially parallel relation with the exible member and spring disposed between the ends of the lever, so that the mechanism may be enclosed in a relatively small space. 'Ihe movable member of the switch is preferably coni6 nected to the free end of the ilexible member, and when it is so connected it will remain stationary at all times except when the exible member is snapped from one position to the other. normally held in tension by the spring, it is unnecessary to employ accurately adjusted' stops for retaining the parts in their proper relation as is common in mechanisms of this type in which the spring maintains one or more of l the parts under compression. In the present construction, the movable switch member will suii'ice to arrest and limit the movement of the ksnap-acting mechanism from one side to the other of its critical position. The lever operates n the mechanism to move the plane of compression of the spring alternately from one side of the plane of tension of the flexible member to the other, so that the spring exerts turning moments on the flexible member which reverse and snap the free end of the member back and forth. However, the pivot or iulcrum of the lever is preferably so positioned that the spring exerts a turning moment in only one direction on the lever, whereby the lever and the end oi' the spring connected theretoy are constantly urged toward one side of the plane of the flexible member. 'I'his latter feature permits operation of the mechanism by the application of a force in only one direction on the actuating lever, the 45 lever moving automatically in the opposite direction under the action of the constant turning moment exerted thereon by the spring.

The thermo-responsive means for actuating the snap-acting mechanism may take various forms. lo butI prefer to employ for this purpose a closed system includingv a bulb adapted to be mounted in the oven. and an expansible and contractible chamber, such as a bellows, outside the oven connected to the bulb through a nexible tubo, Il

Since the lever and flexible member are n.

the bulb, tube and bellows being filled ,with a thermo-responsive fluid. In, modern ranges employing thermo-responsive means of this type, the bellows is commonly disposed near the front of the range where it is influenced by tempera-'f ture changes resulting from operation of the exterior burners, and unless proper provision is made, these changes in temperature outside the oven will aiiect the -tluid in the bellows and cause faulty operation of the regulator. In the new regulator, such faulty operation is avoided by making the operating lever oi' the snap-acting mechanism bimetallic so that it will ex in voperation of the snap-acting mechanism resulting from flexing of the lever is avoided.

When the snap-acting mechanism is used to control a switch, I prefer to employ a switch comprising a pair of ilxed contacts and a conductor connected to the snap-acting mechanism and movable thereby into engagement with the contacts. To assure proper engagement of the conductor with the two contacts, I provide novel means whereby the conductor is self-adjusting to compensate for misaligmnent of the contacts. The conductor is connected to the snap-acting mechanism through a swivel joint which permits the conductor to rock and thereby equalize the pressure on the contacts,even though the contacts are not accurately positioned withrespect to the conductor. If desired, the snap-acting mechanism' may be arranged to control a double switch including two pairs of contacts. The two pairs of contacts are adapted to be bridged by a pair oi' conductors swiveled on opposite ends of an arm pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the snap-acting mechanism. With this construction, the arm may rock to compensate for misalignment with respect to the two pairs of contacts, and the conductors may swivel to compensate for misalignment of the contacts in each pair.

Another feature of the present invention resides in the provision of novel means for controlling the operation of the snap-acting mechanism. The control means comprises an operating handle, or the like, for manually actuating the snapacting mechanism and also for varying the response thereof to movement of the thermo-responsive means. The operating handle has ya locking mechanism associated therewith for locking the snap-acting mechanism. in one of its positions and thereby preventing operation thereof by the thermo-responsive means. Ihe locking mechanism preferably includes a cam operatively connected to the dial, and a locking member movable by the cam relative to the snapacting mechanism. 'I'he cam may be turned with the dial to an "ofT position, and as it is turned it moves the locking member into locking relation with the snap-acting mechanism. Preferably the locking member acts through a spring. and when the cam and dial are moved from the "o position the spring renders the locking member inoperative and releases the snap-acting mechanism. The spring yields upon continued movement of the locking member after it has locked the snap-acting mechanism, and thereby prevents damage of the parts.

.l Still another feature of the present invention is in the provision oi' novel means for indicating the condition of the regulator. The indicating means is controlled jointly by the thermo-responsive means and the manually operated means for actuating the snap-acting mechanism. Preferably. the indicating means is normally inactive, but operates to give a signal when the dial is turned to move the snap-acting mechanism away from the normal position, and to give a dierent signal when the.thermoresponsive means returns the snap-acting mechanism to its normal position.

'I'hese and other features of the new regulator may be better understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with 'the accompanying drawings. in which- Pig. 1 is a front view of one form of the new regulator; l

Fig. 2 is a side view of the regulator shown in F18. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section on the line 8 8 in Fig. 1, showing the thermostatically controlled snap-acting mechanism of the present invention and the actuating means therefor;

Fig. 4 is a partial section on the line l-l in Fig. 1, showing the snap-acting mechanism Iin a diii'erent position;

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are sections on the lines I-l, 6 6 and respectively, in Fig. 3;

Fig.8isasectiononthellne8lin1'1g.7 with parts of the regulator broken away;

Fig. 91s a front view of another form of the regulator embodying means for locking the snapacting mechanism in one position;

Fig. 10 is a side view of the regulator shown in F18. 9;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged section on the line Ii-il in Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a section on the line I2-I2 in Fig. 11 with parts of the regulator broken away;

Fig. 13 is a front view of the regulator shown in Fig. 9 with the dial removed;

Flg.14 is a section on the line lI-II in Fig. 11;

Fig. 15 is a front view of a third form of the new regulator including means for indicating the condition thereof Fig. 16 is a similar view of the regulator shown in Fig. 15 with the dial removed;

Fig. 17 is an enlarged section on the line I1-I1 in Fig. 15;

Fig. 18 is a section on the line II-il in Fig. 17;

Fig. 19 is a reduced section on the line II-Il in Fig. 17;

Fig. 20 is a schematic diagram of wiring circuits which may be employed in connection with the regulator shown in Fig. 15;

Fig. 2l is a front view oi' a modied form of the regulator shown in Pig. 15 with the dial removed:

Fig. 22 is a schematic diagram of wiring which may be employed in 'connection with the regulator shown'in Fig. 2l; and

Fig. 23 is a schematic diagram of wiring .which may be employed in connection with another modified form of the regulator shown in Fig. 15.

'I'he regulator of the present invention is preferably of the type employing a thermo-expansible liquid contained in a closed system including a bulb located within the oven, a flexible metal tube extending from the bulb to the exterior of the oven. and an expansible and contractible chamber connected to the outer end of the tube. A regu- \lator of this type is described yin Patent No.

1,978,362, granted October 23, 1934. It will be understood, however, that the principles of the invention may be employed in thermostatic regulators oi' other types as well.

Referring to the drawings, the bulb adapted to be mounted within the oven 'is shown at 33 and the tube leadingtherefrom at 3l. The tube .3| leads from the bulb to a casing '33 which houses a control mechanism for the oven. The casing comprises a front section 33, preferably of non-conducting material. and a rear section 34, the two sections being held together by bolts 35. The bolts extend through the front section 33 near the corners thereof and are threaded into the rear section 34. The rear section 34 is provided with an opening 33 communicating with the interior of the casing, and secured over the opening 36 is a cup 31 having its open end toward the casing. A flexible metal bellows 33 is sealed within the cup 31 to form an annular space 39 between the cup and bellowsconstituting an expansible and contractible chamber. 'Ihe open end of the cup 31 is sealed to the casing and by an annulus V4i! disposed between the rear section 34 of the casing and a flange 4i on the cup, the cup and annulus being held tightly against the casing by bolts 31 extending through the ange and annulus and threaded into the rear section 34 of the casing.

A disk 42 lies against the rear end of the bellows, and a stem 43 secured at its end to the disk extends through the front end of the bellows, the annulus 40 and opening 33. The stem 43 has a rod 44 threaded in the front end thereof, the rod extending forwardly from the stem through the casing. A- spring 43 arranged between the disk 42v and annulus y43 tends to keep the bellows expanded by urging the stem 43 and rod 44 to the left as shown in Fig. 3. The

ltube 3| leads into the space 39 through the rear wall of cup 31, and the bulb 33, tube 3|, and space 39 are filled with a thermo-expansive liquid, such as chlorinated diphenol, which actuates the bellows and the rod 44 connected thereto in response to a change in temperature in the oven. Movement of rod 44 by the bellows controls the operation of a snap-acting mechanism which will now be described.

The rod 44 extends forwardly from its threaded end through an opening in a bimetallic bar or lever 41, to be described in detail presently, and is formed with a shoulder 43 which normally engages lugs 41' on the front face of the bar at opposite .sides of the opening. Near itsgupper end above the rod 44, the bar 41 is provided wlth` a circular opening 49 throughwhich a pivot pin 60 extends. The pin 50 passes through the rear section 34 of the casing and is secured by a nut I threaded on its outer end, the hut being received in a recess formed in the rear face of section 34; The pin 50 is formed at its front end with a head 50', and behind the head 50 the pin is formed with a hexagonal section 32,

`whereby a spanner may be applied tothe piu to facilitate tightening of the nut 5I thereon;

The portion of the bar 41 surrounding the opening 49 therein is beveled to provide a knife ledge extending around the opening, as shown in Fig. 3. The knife edge near the top of the bar is disposed in a circumferential recess formed in the pin 50 between the head vthereof and the hexagonal section 52. y

A fiat metal compression spring I3 is disposed behindv um bar u susstan'uuy parallel thereto and normally maintains the bar in tension. The spring I5 is engaged at its lower end with a knob 33 fixed on the lower end of the bar. As

shown particularly in Figs. 3 and 5, the spring l5 is curved slightly at its lower end and ilts into a recess in the head of knob I3. The upper end of spring Si is integral with the free upper end of a strip of spring metal 31 which connues the spring against expansion in an upward direction. The strip 31 is substantially rectangular in form and is clamped at its lower end to the rear section 34 of the casing by means of a cross member 53. The member 53 is held in position against the lower end of strip 51 by a bolt 53 which extends through the member 33 and strip 31 and is threaded into the rear section 34 of the casing. A stop Gil is interposed between the cross member 53 and a washer 3i on the bolt, the stop extending forwardly and upwardly from the bolt and terminating in front of the knob 56 on bar 49. Preferably, the flexible conning strip 51 is further secured at its lower end by pins 92 connected to the rear section 34v of the casing and extending through the strip 31 and cross member 53. The spring 55 extends downwardly from the free end of confining strip 31 in a central longitudinal slot 63 (Figs. 5 and 6) formed in the strip intermediate itsl ends, the

vslot 63 and integral spring 55 of the strip being preferably formed by a stamping operation. Normally, the spring 55 lies in the 4plane of strip 51, but when the parts are assembled the spring is distorted out of the plane of the strip and confined in compression in a bowed form between the free' end of strip 51 and the knob, as shown in Fig. `3.

A leg 64 is riveted to the free end of vthe conning strip 51 and extends forwardly through a central opening in bar 41 into a slot 35 formed in a cross arm 66. ,The cross arm 36 is made of insulating material and is pivotally connected to the front end of leg 64 by a cotter pin 31 extending through the cross arm and the leg, whereby the cross arm may rock endwise on the leg. The ends of the arm 96 are enlarged so that the arm has the general form of an H, the enlarged ends of the arrn being recessed on the front face of the arm, as shown at 33. Pivotally mounted in the recess 33 at one end of the cross arm is a conducting member 89. As shown particularly in Fig. 7, the bottom of member 69 is formed with a rounded projection 39' intermediate its 'ends which engages a rounded projection formed on the cross arm. The conducting member 69 is held in engagement with the projection 10 by a headed pin 1i mounted on the cross arm and extending loosely through the member 69 so as to permit the member to rock transversely of the cross arm in the recess 63. /The conducting member 39 cooperates with /a pair of contacts 13 and 14 mounted on the inside of the front section 33 of the casing. 'I'he contact 13 forms the head of a terminal bolt 13 which extends through the front section 33 of the casing, the bolt being secured against removal by lock nuts 13. Similarly, the other contact 14 forms the head of a terminal bolt 11 extending through the front section 33 and held in position by lock nuts 13 outside the casing. Ihe cross arm 33 may be moved by spring member 33 toward or away from the contacts 13, 1.4 to effect their electrical connection and disconnection.

The movement of the cross arm away from the lil contacts is limited by projections 1I on the rear face of the cross arm near the ends thereof, the projections 19 being arranged to engage the threaded ends of bolts ll when the cross arm is moved a predetermined distance away from the contacts. The bolts Il are threaded through the wall of the rear section 34 and are adjustable to vary the extent of themovement of cross arm 46 away from the contacts.

The rod 4,4 is adapted to be moved axially independently of the bellows 38 by manually operated means comprising a shaft l2 rotatably mounted in a hollow boss 83 integral with the front of the casing.l The inner end of the shaft is enlarged in the boss at l2' and is provided with a central longitudinal bore in which the front end of rod 44 is loosely fitted. 'Ihe rod 44 has a pin I4 extending transversely therethrough near its front end, the ends of the pin being loosely disposed in opposed longitudinal slots l5 formed in the enlarged end 42 of the shaft. In front of the hollow boss 83, the shaft l2 is formed with a shoulder 86, and between the shoulder and the enlarged end l2 of the shaft are a metal plate 81 and a strip of spring metal Il through which the shaft extends. The plate l1 engages the front end of boss 8l, and the spring Il lies against the front face of the plate with its upper end spaced from the plate and in engagement with the shoulder 86. The plate 81 and spring I4 are held in this position by a bolt Il which extends through the front section 33 of the casing and through the lower portions of the plate and spring, the head of the bolt being arranged in a recess formed in the rear face of section I3. A nut 9| is threaded on the bolt to clamp the plate 41 and spring 8l against the end of boss 43.

A knob 92 is held on the shaft l2 by a cap nut 93 threaded on the front end of the shaft, the shank of the nut extending through a central bore in the knob. A dial 92' is clamped on the shaft between plates 94 and DI which are connected by a bolt 96 having its head received in a suitable recess in knob 92. The plate I4 has a central opening through which the shank of cap nut 93 extends, while the plate 95 has a key 85' received in a keyway 91 formed in shaft I2, whereby rotation of the knob and dial causes the shaft to turn. A nut 91' is threaded on the shaft and holds the plates 94, 95 and the dial 02 against the rear end of knob 82. The dial has a scale of temperature graduations 98 arranged thereon, together with suitable indicia 99 for indicating the condition of the oven corresponding to the various temperatures shown on the dial. When the knob 92 is rotated, the rotation is transmitted through the shaft 82 and pin I4 to the rod 44, whereby the rod is moved helicoidally in the threaded bore of stem 43. Rotation of the dial is preferably limited by a lug |00 on the inside of the dial, the lug being adapted to engage the threaded end of bolt 89. It will be apparent that the spring 88 urges the shaft l2 to the right, as seen in Fig. 3, so as to maintain the forward end of the enlarged portion 82 of the shaft in close engagement with plate I1 and thereby provide a braking effect on movement of the shaft and dial. 'Ihis braking effect prevents accidental turning of shaft 82 which might otherwise occur due to jarring or vibration incident to operation of the snap-acting mechanism.

The casing l2 is mounted on an electric range (not shown) so that the knob I! is accessible at any convenient place. The terminal bolts 1l and 11 are then connected in series with the electric heating element for the oven. whereby bridg- I mechanism will be initially in the position shown in Fig. 4, wherein the contacts 1l and 14 are bridged so as to complete the circuit through the heating element. 'Ihat is, the shoulder 4l, due to the extremely contracted state of the liquid chamber maintains the lower end of bar 41 to the left, so that the corresponding end of spring i! is held to the left of the plane of the nexible strip l1. Accordingly, the expansive action of spring Il urges the free upper end of strip l1 and the cross arm Il connected thereto toward the right so that the conducting member 4! is held firmly against the contacts 1I, 14. The dial l2' is then turned so that the graduation I4 corresponding to the desired oven temperature is in alignment with an index (not shown) fixed on the range. This operation of the dial adjusts the position of Ashoulder 4l relative to the bellows and thereby determines the distance through which the bellows will have to move toward the right (Fig. 4) to permit the bar to move the lower end of spring. through the plane of strip 51.

In the event the dial l2 is set at a temperature lower than the temperature of the oven when the master switch is closed, the parts of the mechanism will be in the position shown in Fig. 3. As there shown, the bellows Il, due to its relatively collapsed state, permits the lower end of bar 41 to assume a position to the right, wherein the lower end of spring is to the right of the plane of the flexible strip 51. The free upper end of strip 51 and the cross arm 66 connected thereto will then be urged toward the left by the expansive action of the spring, so as to maintain the conducting member 6l out of engagement with the contacts. In this event, the circuit through the oven heater is completed by turning the knob 92 clockwise to a higher temperature setting so as to move the shoulder 4l and bar 41 toward the left, whereby the lower end of spring 55 is forced through the plane of strip 51 to the position shown in Fig. 4. As the lower end of spring 55 moves through the plane of strip 51 from right to left, the turning moment exerted by the spring on strip 51 is reversed and causes the free upper end of strip 51 to snap to the right and thereby engage conductor 69 with the contacts. The dial 82 is then set to the desired temperature as previously described.

As the temperature in the oven rises, the liquid in bulb 30 expands and moves the closed end of bellows 38, together with its stem 43, to the right against the action of spring 45. Movement of stem 43 to the right by the bellows permits the bar 41 to follow shoulder 48 to the right under the action of spring 55. That is, when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 4, the upper end of spring 55 is disposed slightly to the left of a line through the pivoted end of bar 41 and the lower end of spring 55, and accordingly the spring 5l will exert a turning moment on the bar tending to move it toward the right.

When the temperature in the oven corresponds 7g the parts of the mechanism. That is. if the oven arouse a snap action. The rapid movement of the upper end of strip I1 toward the left by the spring 55 disengages the conducting member 33 from contacts 13, 14 and snaps the cross arm 64 toward 15 thgleft until it is seated on the stop bolts 33 (Fig.

v-3) The circuit through the heating element of the oven is thus broken to prevent a further in the oven temperature.

As the temperature in the oven falls substantially below that for which the dial is set, the contraction of the liquid in bulb 3l causes the spring 4l to move the bellows and stem l2 to the left (Fig. 3). thereby forcing the bar 41 to the left about its pivot I3 against the action of spring Il. As the lower end of the bar moves the corresponding end of spring II through the plane of strip 51, the spring II will again reverse its action with respect-to strip l1, whereupon the spring will snap the cross arm 33 back to its circuit-closing position, shown in Fig. 4. The heating element will then be re-energized to heat the oyen to the desired temperature indicated on the dial $2', and the circuit-opening operation previously described will be repeated.

When the parts are in the circuit-closing position shown in Fig. 4- and the oven is heated, the snap-acting mechanism may be actuated independently of the bellows 33 to return the mechanism to its initial position. I'he return of the snap-acting mechanism to its initial position may be eiie'cted manually by rotating the dial 32' in a counterclockwise direction, whereby the rod 44 is moved toward its extreme righthand position in stem 43. This causes the bar 41 (Fig. 4) to follow the shoulder 43 on the rod under the action of spring 53 until the lower end of the spring is moved to the right of the plane of conflning strip I1. Thereupon, the compression' spring Il snaps the mechanism back to its circuit-opening position, as previously described.

It will be apparent that'the new snap-actingl mechanism does not require the use of accurately adjusted stops for limiting its extreme positions. The latter are determined only by the positions which it assumes when the conductor 3l engages contacts 13, 14 and when the cross arm is seated on stop bolts 30, respectively. Also, the spring I3 is so arranged with respect to the flexible strip" andbar41 thatitexertsaturningmoment on the bar tendingl to urge the lower end thereof toward the right, regardless of the position of the bar. This construction permits operation of the mechanism by the application of a force in only one direction on the bar, so that the sliding connection between the rod 44 and bar 41 may be employed. The sliding connection referred to is a desirable feature in a device of this character, in that it permits expansion of the thermo-responsive liquid to continue after the heater has been shut off, without injury to temperature should for any reason continue to increase after the heater is shut oif. the free end of bellows 42 moves to the right under the action of the expanding liquid and merely disengsges the free upper end of the strip to the left with the shoulder 43 from the bar. When the oven cools, the contracting liquid in bulb causes\ the rod 44 to move to the left and return shoulder 4l into engagement with the bar, whereupon the normal operation is resumed. 4

It will also be apparent that the snap-acting mechanism of the new regulator operates in a positive manner to effect a quick make" or break of `the heating circuit and is operable by only a slightmovement of bar 41. By reason of the pivoted connection between cross member 66 and the leg 64 and the swivel joint betweenconductingmember 63 and the cross arm, any

misalignmentA of contacts 13, 14 will be automatically compensated for. That is, if one of thel contacts 13, 14 projects inwardly a greater distance than the other, the conducting member 63 will swivel about the pivot 1i and automatically adjust itself to the misalignment of the contacts. Also, if the contacts 13,14 should be moved toward or away from the conducting member 33 in any manner, this condition will be automatically compensated for by the pivoted connection of the cross arm to the leg 64 which permits the cross arm to rock lengthwise. Preferably, the left-hand end of cross arm 66, which does not carry a conducting member, has a collar |02 pivoted thereon by a pivot pin |03 similar tothe pin 1i (Figs. 5 and 7). The function of the 'collar |02 is to engage the rear face of the front section 33 when cross arm 43 is in its circuit-closing position Iand thereby maintain the cross arm in substantially parallel relation to the rear face of section 33.

The bar 41 is bimetalllc, as previously described, and is arranged with the low expansion metal on the left side (Figs. 3 and 4) so that a rise in temperature causes the free lowerend of the bar to extoward the left. With this construction. a rise in the ambient temperature resulting, for example, from operation of an exterior heater near casing 32 and causing the liquid in lchamber 33 to eifect a false movement of bar'4l to the right, will be compensated by the simultaneous movement of the lower end of the bar to the left due to flexing of the thermostatic metal. whereby the position of the lower will be accompanied by a flexing of the bar to the right so that the lower end thereof will remain stationary. Accordingly, the operation of the regulator is unaiected by changes in temperature around the casing 32, and the latter may be mounted in any desired location on the range, regardless of the proximity of exterior burners.

As the bar 41 flexes due to ambient temperature changes, it tends to straighten or curve itself, and unless suitable provision were made, this action would result in a change in the eifective length of the bar and thereby affect the operationof the regulator. To prevent changes in the effective length of the bar in this manner, I prefer to construct the bar in form shown particularly in Fig. 3. As there shown, the bar is bent transversely at a point spaced slightly inwardly from the lower end thereof, as shown at |34, so that at room temperature, when the bar is substantially straight, the lower end of the bar extends downwardlyto the right. Accordingly, when the bar iiexes to the left upon a rise in temperature, tending to shorten its effective length, the bent lower end of the bar is moved toward a vertical position and thereby, tends to increase the effective length of the har, and as a result the effective length of the bar remains unchanged. Conversely, when the bar tends to straighten itself upon a decrease in temperature, the bent lower end thereof moves more obliquely to the right and tends to shorten the effective length of the bar. I

'I'he regulator shown in Figures 9 to 14. inclusive, is provided with mechanism for automatically locking the snap-acting mechanism in its circuit-opening position when the dial is in its oft position, and for automatically releasing the locking mechanism when the dial is moved away from its oif position. The regulator there shown includes thermo-responsive means, a snap-acting mechanism and a casing similar in all respects to the corresponding parts of the regulator shown in Figures 1 to 8, inclusive, and accordingly these parts need not be further described. In the regulator shown in Figs. 9 to 14, inclusive, the cross arm 00 coopcrates with two pairs of contacts mounted in the casing on the front wall thereof, one pair 10, 10 being mounted near one side of the casing and the other pair |05, being mounted near the opposite sideof the casing. The contacts and |06 are similar to contacts 10, 10 and form the heads of terminal bolts |01 and |08, respectively. The boltsA |01 and |00 extend through the front of the casing and are held in position by lock nuts |09 and I |0, respectively, threaded on their outer ends. The contacts |05 and |0B'are adapted to be electrically connected by a conducting member which is mounted in the recess 00 on the left-hand end of ,cross arm 00 (Figure 12) in place of the collar |02 shown in Figs. 5 and '1. The conducting Amember is similar in all respects to the conducting member 00 and is mounted to swivel on a pivot pin ||2 similar to the pin 1|.

Mounted on the inside of the casing against the inner face of the front section 00 thereof is a spring ||0 in the form of a flexible metal strip. The lower end oi strip ||0 is secured to the front section 00 by a bolt Il! which extends through the front section of the casing and through an opening in the strip I0. A nut H6 is threaded on the inner end of the bolt and is tightened against a washer H0' to clamp the lower end of the spring ||0 against the rear face of section 33. From its lower end, the spring ||0 extends upwardly to the left. as shown in Fig. 11, and then curves downwardly to the right to form a leg H0. The leg ||0' of the spring coacts with a pin ||1 which extends outwardly through the boss 83 in the same opening through which the bolt 89 extends in the regulator shown in Fig. 3. The inner end oi' pin ||1 is formed with a head I1 which is normally in engagement with the leg H0 of spring ||0 and prevents the pin ||1 from being withdrawn from the casing.

'I'he pin ||1 is adapted to be moved axially in the boss 03 by a knob |20. The knob |20 is provided with a central bore into which the threaded outer end of shaft 82 extends. Mounted over the rear face of knob |20 is a plate |2| which is secured in position by a screw |22. A spring |23 is held compressed lagainst the inner face of plate |2| by a nut |20 threaded on the end of shaft 82. The spring |20 urges the knob |20 toward the casing so that a shoulder |20' in the central bore of the knob abuts against the nut |24. Fixed on the shaft 02 between the knob |20 and the front end of boss 00 is a composite annoso pme m inducing a sur m. 'me aux m u formed with a cam |21 normally engaging the outer end of pin H1. A pin |20 extends forwardly from the front face of plate |20 through an opening in plate |2|, the front end of the pin |20 being disposed in a recess |20' in the knob.` As shown particularlfin Fig. 11, the bolt 00 of to a panel |02 on the range by a bezel I0| and is y provided with graduations |00 corresponding to different temperatures in the oven, and also with indicia |00' indicating the ofi position of the dial. When the knob |20 is in its off position, as shown particularly in Fig. i1,- the 4earn portion |21 of the disk|20 is in engagement with the outer end of pin |1 and holds the pin in its innermost position in the boss 00. In this position of pir. I I1, the spring ||0 is forced to the left against its spring action as seen in Fig. 11into engagement with the intermediate portion of cross arm 00. The cross arm 00 is thus held by spring ||0 out of engagement with contacts 10, and |00, |00. Accordingly. if the rod 00 should be moved to the right due to an expansion of the liquid in bulb 00, the cross arm 00 will be maintained out of engagement with its cooperating contacts irrespective of the operation of the snap-acting mechanism. When the knob is rotated in a clockwise direction from its oil position, the outer end of pin ||1 rides along the inclined portion |21' of cam |21, to the outer face of disk |20, the pin being urged outwardly against the disk by the action of spring ||0 which tends to assume a vertical position. Accordingly, when the knob |20 is operated to actuate the snapacting mechanism, the cam |21 releases the spring ||0 and cross arm 00 before the snap-acting mechanism is actuated, so that when the lower end of spring 00 is moved to the left (Fig. il) through its critical position the spring is free to snap the cross arm 00 into engagement with its cooperating contacts.

It will be observed by reference to Fig. 11 that the dial |0| is concave on its iront face and that the knob is normally urged by spring |20 to a forward position in which the front portion of the dial is disposed in the concavity of the member. The knob may be readily withdrawn from the member |0I against the action of spring |20 to move the plate |2| of the dial beyond the end or pin m. The knob may then be rotated inde pendently of the operating shaft 02. When the recess |20 in the dial is out of alignment with pin |20 and the dial is released, the spring |20 will hold the plate |2| of the dial against the end of the pin. In orderto connect the knob again to the operating shaft 02, the knob is rotated until the recess |20 therein is in alignment with pin |20, whereupon the spring |20 will snap the dial to its inner position in which the pin |20 extends through the opening in plate |2| into the recess |20.

'I'he regulator shown in Figs. l5 to 19, inclusive. is similar to that shown in Figs. 9 to 14, but is provided in addition with means for indicating the condition of the regulator. The indicating means comprises a conducting member |00 mounted in front of the casing 02 below dial |0| and extending horizontally to the right. as seen in Figs. 15 and 16. The conducting member |00 vis .spring ||4, the latter will move to the right, as

seen in Figure l'l. and engage the inner end oi bolt |30. Below the conducting member |32 and parallel thereto is a' second conducting member |30 extending outwardly to the left, as seen in Figs.

15 and 16. The member |30 is provided with a downwardly extending leg |30' which is secured to the front section 33' the casing by a .bolt |31. 'I'he bolt |31 passes ough the lower portion of spring strip ||4 in place oi' the bolt shown in Figure 11 and has a washer |31' interposed between the head of the bolt and spring I |4. 'I'he bolt |31 extends .outwardly through the i'ront section 33 and through a collar |33 interposed between the outer face oi' section 33 and the leg |38. Lock nuts |33 are threaded on the outer end of bolt |31 and serve to clamp the leg |30' against the collar |30. The upper conducting member |34 and lower conducting member |30 are electrically insulated from each other by a sheet of insulating material |40 disposed between the members and riveted thereto.

The upper conducting member |34' near its outer end (Figs. l and 16,) is provided with an opening |4| adapted to receive the base of a 11|) volt incandescent lamp |42. at the lower end of the lamp engages the eni'll of a conducting strip |43. As shown 'particularly in Figures 16 and 17, the conducting strip |43 extends inwardly from the contacts |42' and then upwardly and to the left to the terminal bolt 11 oi contact 14. 'I'he terminal bolt 11 extends outwardly through an opening in the conducting strip |43 near the upper end thereof, the upper portion of the strip being clamped against the front section 33 o! the casing by the lock nuts 18. Similarly, the outer end of conducting member |30 is provided with an opening |44 adapted to receive the base of a 110 voit incandescent lamp |40. 'I'he contact |40' at the lower end of lamp |40 engages the horizontal lower end of a conducting strip |46 which extends upwardly and to the right to the terminal bolt |00 of contact |00. The bolt |00 extends outwardly through the front section 33 of the casing and through anfopening in the upper portion of conducting strip |40, and the strip is clamped against the iront face of the casing by the lock nuts ||0.

lIn the use of the regulator shown in Figs. to 19, inclusive, the wiring shown tically in Figure may be employed. As there shown, the heating element |41 oi the oven is adapted to be supplied with current from a 220 volt three-wire power line including the wires and |43', between which is a potential of 220 volts, and a neutral wire |40. It will be apparent that between each o! the wires |40, |40' and the neutral wire |40 there is a potential oi 110 volts. Wire |40 oi' the power source is connected to terminal bolt |01 of the regulator, and terminal bolt |00 cooperating with terminal |01 is connected to one side of heating element |41. The other side of the heating element is connected to terminal bolt 10 of the regulator, and terminal bolt 11 cooperating with terminal 10 is connected to wire |43' oi the power source. The neutral wire |40 is connected to bolt |31 between the lock nuts |30.

In the operation of the device shown in Figs.

'I'he contact |42'.

the oven, the dial |20 is turned clockwise to re lease the locking pin I1. As soon as the cam |21 l releases pin ||1, the spring ||4 moves to the right due to its inherent spring action and engages the inner end oi bolt |30. Thereupon, a circuit is established which is traceablel from wire |40 wise direction, the snap-acting mechanism is actuated in the manner previously described, whereupon the cross arm is moved forwardly to bridge ntacts 13, 14 and |00, |00, respectively. In this osition of the parts, a circuit is established which is traceable from wire |40 through terminal bolt |01, contact |00, conducting member contact |06, terminal bolt |00 (Figs. 16 and 19), heating element |41, terminal bolt 10, contact 13, conducting member 00, contact 14, terminal bolt 11 (Figs. 16 and 19) to the wire |40' of the power source. A potential -of substantially 220 volts will thus be impressed across the heating element |41 and the latter will heat the oven. Simultaneously with the establishment of the circuit through heating element |41, another circuit will be established which is traceable from wire |43 through terminal bolt |01, contact |00, conducting member contact |00, terminal bolt |03, conducting strip |46, lamp |40, conducting member |30, bolt |31 (Figs. 17 and 18) to the neutral wire |40. Accordingly, a voltage of substantially volts will be impressed across lamp |40, whereby the latter lamp will be illuminated. The lamp I 40 is preferably ot a red color or any other color distinguishable from the color of lamp |42, and when the lamp |40 is illuminated the operator will be infomed that the circuit through heating element |41 is closed and the oven is being heated.

When the oven is heated to the temperature for which the dial |3| is set, the bellows 30 permits the snap-acting mechanism to move back to its initial position and thereby'separate the contacts 13, 14 and |00, |00, respectively. The red lamp |40 will then be extinguished to indicate that the desired temperature in the oven has been reached.

The green lamp |42, however, will continue to be v illuminated to show that the regulator is still the spring ll4/,disengages bolt |05 and thereby opens the circuit previously traced through lamp |42. The lamp |42 will then be extinguished to indicate that the regulator isin its oil'" position.

The regulator shown in Figs. 15 to 20, inclusive,

` is adapted for use with lamps of the common 110-volt type in connection with a 220-volt threewire power line. In the'event that only a twowire power line oi' 220 volts is available, the regu ulator may be modified as shown in Figs. 2l and 22. As shown in Fig. 21, the bolt is eliminated, and in place oi' the conducting members |04 and |30 (Figs. 15 to 18) a single conducting member |52 is employed. The member |52 extends horiu zontally across the front of casing 02 below the boss 00 and is held in position by legs |50 connected to the front section 00 of the casing. Near its left end, as seen in Fig. 21, the member |52 is provided with an opening into which the base of lamp |45 is closely fitted. The contact |45 at the bottom of the lamp engages the contact strip |40. Similarly, near its opposite end, the member |52 is provided with another opening for receiving the base of lamp 42, the contact |42 at the bot- I tom of lamp |42 being in engagement with the conducting strip |40. The bolt |01 (Fig. 17) is eliminated in the regulator shown in Fig. 21, and bolt |5, shown particularly in Fig. l1, is substituted therefor.

u The wiring oi' the modiiied regulator is illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 22. As there shown, the heatingelement 41 is adapted to be energized by current supplied from a 220-volt power line including wires |55 and |55. 'I'he wire |55 is connected to terminal bolt |01 of the regulator, and terminal bolt |00 cooperating with terminal |01 is connected to one side of heating element 41. The other side 'of theA heating element is connected to terminal bolt 11. Terminal bolt cooperating with terminal 11 is connected to the other wire |55 o1' the power line.

When the regulator shown in Figs. 21 and 22 is turned on to release the locking pin I1, the

lamps |42 and |45 will remain extinguished.

However, when the shaft 82 is turned further in a clockwise direction to actuate the snap-acting mechanism, the conducting members 59 ,and will be moved into engagement with their respective contacts 13, 14 and |05, |05, whereupon a circuit will be established which is traceable from wire 55 of the power source through the terminal |01, conducting member terminal |00, heating element |41, terminal 11, conducting member 59 and terminal 15 to the other wire |50 of the power source. At the same time, another circuit will be established which is traceablefrom wire |55 of the power source through terminal |01, conducting member terminal |00, conducting strip |40, lamp |45, conducting member |52, lamp |42, conducting strip |43 and terminal 11 to the other wire |50 oi' the power line. Thus, the two lamps |42 and |45 will be connected in series across the 220-volt line so that a potential of substantially 110 volts will be impressed across each lamp. The lighting of lamps |42 and |45 will indicate to the operator that the oven is being heated by the element |41. When the oven has been heated to the desired temperature for which the regulator is set, the bellows will permit the snap-acting mechanism to return to its normal position and withdraw conducting members 50 and from their respective contacts, whereby the lamps |42 and |45 will be extinguished and the heating element |41 deenergized.

il' It will be apparent that other indicating means annuo may be used in place of the incandescent lamps |42 and |45. Por example, the regulator shown in Figs. 15 to i9, inclusive, may be modified to, accommodate neon tubes |00 and |05, as shown diagrammatically in Pig. 23. Referring to Fig. 8 23, the neon tube |50 is suitably mounted on the casing in place of the lamp 42 and is connected at one terminal to the bolt |05 (Fig. 17). The other terminal of the tube is connected through a resistance |00 to a terminal |00, from lo which a wire |0| leads to terminal bolt 11. Similarly, the neon tube |50 is mounted on the casing in place of the incandescent lamp |45 and-is eo'nnected at one terminal through a resistance to the terminal |00. 'Ihe other terminal of neon tube |50 is connectedby a wire |0I to terminal bolt |01 of the regulator. The heating element |41 is adapted to be energized by a 220-volt power line including wires |02 and |00 connected to terminal bolts |00 and 11, respectively. The other terminal bolts |01 and 15 are connected to opposite sides of the heating element |41. 'Ihe bolt |01 near the lower end of spring ||4 (Fig. 17) is connected by a wire |02' to wire |02 o! the power source. l

In the operation oi the regulator shown diagrammatically in Fig. 23, the mechanism is normally in its oii' position, whereby the neon tubes |50 and l 59 are extinguished and h'eating element |41 is deenergized. When the regulator is turned 50 on to release the locking spring -||4, the latter moves into engagement with bolt |05, as previously described, whereupon a circuit is established which is traceable from wire |51 through terminal 11, wire |0|, terminal |00, resistance |50', neon tube |59, bolt |05, spring ||4, bolt |31 and wire |02 to the other wire |52 of the power source. The neon tube |50 will thus be energized to indicate that the regulator is turned on. When the dial is rotated further in a clockwise direction, the snap-acting mechanism will be actuated in the manner previously described, thereby moving conducting members 55 and into engagement with their respective contacts 10, 14 and |05, |00. A circuit will then be established dl which is traceable from wire |02 of the power source through terminal |00, conducting member terminal |01, heating element |41, terminal 15, conducting member 50 and terminal 11 to the other wire |00 of the power source, whereby l0 element |41 will be energized to heat the oven. At the same time, another circuit will be established which is traceable from wire |02 through terminal |00, conducting member terminal |01, wire |5|', neon tube |50, resistance |50', terminal |50, wire |5|, and terminal 11 to the other wire |00 of the power source. The neon tube |50 will then be illuminated to indicate that the heating element |41 is energized.

When the oven has been heated to the desired temperature, the bellows 00 will permit the snapacting mechanism to return to its initial position and withdraw conducting members 00 and from their respective contacts. Thereupon, the circuits previously traced through heating 05 element |41 and neon tube i 50 will be broken, and neon tube |50 will be extinguished to indicate that the oven has been heated to the required temperature. 'I'he neon tubes |50 and |55 are preferably of distinguishable colors, whereby 10 the operator may be more readily informed as to the condition of the regulator. The resistances |50 and |59' may be oi any desired ohmic value to permit the now of the necessary current through the neon tubes.

annoso `members, a compression'member connected at one endy to one.oi"` the tension members and at the opposite end to the other tension member andgnormaily maintaining said first members under tension, and means for actuating one of the tension members to move the adjacent end of the compression member through the centerline of the other tension member.

2. In a regulator, a snap acting mechanism comprising a pair of generally parallel. opposed tension members, means at one end of one member and at the remote end of the other member for mounting the members, the tree ends of the members being relatively movable, a compression member extending between the tensiony members from the free end portions thereof and normally maintaining said ilrst members under tension, and means for actuating one of the tension members to move the adjacent end of the compression member through the centerline of the other tension member.

3. A regulator comprising a laterally movable bar, a member generally parallel to the bar and movable laterally relative thereto, means for securing the bar and member against relative endwise movement, a compression spring connected at one end to the bar and at the other end to the member and normally extending at an angle to the member with the nrst end of the spring disposed on one side of the plane of the member, means for moving the bar and the member relatively against the action of the spring to force said first end of the spring to the Opposite side of the plane of the' member. 'and control means operatively connected to one of said spring, member and bar.

4. A regulator comprising a laterally movable bar, amember having one end disposed between the ends of the bar and movable laterally relative thereto, means for securing the bar and the member against endwise movement, a spring conilned in compression between one end of the bar and one end of the member and normally exerting an expansive force at an angle to the member to urge said end of the member in one direction relative to the bar, the bar being movable against the action of the spring to a critical position in which the expansive force of the spring is substantially parallel to the memben' means for moving the bar beyond said critical position to cause the spring to reverse its action and urge said end of the member in the opposite direction relative to the bar, and control means operatively connected to one of said bar, spring and member. v

5. A' regulator comprising a laterally movable bar, a member substantially Parallel to the bar having one end disposed between the ends of the bar and movable laterally relative thereto, means for securing the bar and member against endwise movement, a spring arranged in compression between said end of the member and one end oi the bar and normally exerting an expansive force in one direction relative to the member to urge said end of the member away from the bar, means for moving the bar iocause the spring to exert an expansive force in the opposite direction relative to the member and thereby urge said end of the member toward the bar, and control means operatively connected to one of said spring, member and bar.

6. A regulator comprising a bar pivoted near one end, a member substantially parallel to the bar having one end disposed between the ends of the bar and movable laterally relative thereto, means for securing the member against endwise movement, a spring confined in compression between said end of thel member and the free end of the bar and normally exerting an expansive force at an angle to the member to urge the free end of the member ,and bar away from each other, the bar being movable against the action of the spring to a critical position in which the expansive force of the spring is substantially parallel to the member, means for moving the bar and member relatively beyond said critical position to cause the spring to re-v verse its action and urge said end of the member and the bar relatively toward each other, and control means operatively connected to one of said bar, spring and member.

7. A regulator comprising a laterally movable bar, means for securing the bar against endwise movement, a member fixed at one end and movable laterally relative to the bar, the free end if the member being disposed inwardly from one end of the bar, a compression spring extending outwardly from the free end of the member with its outer end connected to the bar on 'one side of the member, the spring normally urging the bar in one direction relative to the member, means for moving the outer end of the spring to the other side of said member to cause the spring to urge the member in the opposite direction relative t0 the bar, and control means operatively connected to said member.

8. A regulator comprising a laterally movable bar, means for securing the bar against endwise movement, a ilexible member anchored at one end near one end of the bar, a spring extending from the free end of the member outwardly toward said end of the bar and movable relative to the piane of the member, a connection between the bar and the outer end of the spring for subjecting the spring to compression with its outer end on one side of the plane of said member. .the spring normally exerting an expansive force in one direction relative to the plane of the member to urge the free end of the member away from the bar, means for varying the relative positions of said bar and member to move the outer end oi' the spring through the plane oi the member to the opposite side thereof, whereby the spring snaps the free end of the member toward the bar, and control means operatively connected to one of said flexible member, bar and spring.

9. A regulator comprising a laterally movable bar, means for securing the bar against endwise movement, biasing means coacting with the bar including a exible strip connected to the bar near one end thereof and extending inwardly from said end of the bar and a pair of flexible legs integral with the inner end of the strip and extending outwardly on opposite sides thereof toward said end of the bar, means for fixing the outer ends of said legs to confine the strip in compression between the inner ends of the legs and the outer end of the bar with the outer end of the strip disposed on one side of theplane of the legs, said strip normally urging the inner ends of the legs in one direction relative to the bar, means for moving the outery end of the strip through the piane of the legs to the opposite side thereof to cause the strip to snap the legs in the opposite direction relative to the bar,

and control means operatively connected to one of said bar and biasing means.

10. In a regulator, a snap-acting mechanism comprising a bar pivoted at one end, a spring including a pair of spaced parallel legs having .their inner ends disposed inwardly vfrom one end of the bar and an intermediate leg integral with 4the inner ends of said parallel legs and extending outwardly toward saidvend of the bar, the interl0.

g bar, means i'or moving the bar about its pivot to fonce the outer-end oi the intermediate leg through the .plane of said parallel legs to the opposite side thereof. and control means operatively connected to the inner end of the spring.

11. In a regulator, a snap-acting mechanism comprising a bar pivoted near one end, a compression spring connected at its outer end lwith the bar near the free end thereof, a iiexible member connected at one end to the opposite end of the spring, means for fixing the other'end of the flexible member near the free end of the bar to compress the spring, the spring normally subjecting said bar and ilexible member to tension, and means for moving the free end of the bar and the outer end of the spring relative to the plane of said member, and control means operatively connected to the snap-acting mechanism.

12. A regulator comprising a laterally movable bar, a member having one end disposed between the ends of the bar and movable laterally relative thereto, means for securing the bar and member against endwise movement, a spring conilned in compression between one end o! the bar and one end of the member and normally exerting an expansive force at an angle to the member to urge said end of the member away from the bar to a normal position, the bar and member being movable relatively toward each other against the action of the spring to a critical position in which the expansive force of the spring is substantially parallel to the member, means for moving the bar and member relatively beyond said critical position to cause the spring to reverse its action and urge said end of the member toward the bar. means for adjusting the member to vary said normal position thereof, and control means operatively connected to one of said bar, spring and member.

13. A regulator comprising a laterally movable bar, a member substantially parallel to the bar and movable laterally relative thereto, means for securing the bar and member against relative endwise movement, a compression spring connected at one end to the bar and at the other end to the member and normally extending at an angle to the member with the nrst end of the spring disposed on one side of the' plane oi' the member. a thermo-responsive element for moving the bar relative to the member against the action of the spring to force said end o! the spring to the opposite side of the plane of the member, and control means operatively connected to one of said spring, member and bar.

14. A regulator comprising a laterally movable bar, a member substantially parallel t0 the bar andasse anr/bmovable laterally relative thereto. means ior securing the bar and. member against relative endwise movement, a compression spring oonnect'edat one endtothebarononesideoithe plane of the member and at the other end to the member and normally extending at an angle to the member, theme-responsive means, a connection between the thermo-responsive means andthebariormovingthebaragainstthe actionoi'thespringtoiorcesaid nrstendotthe springtotheoppositesideoithepianeoithe member,` means for adjusting said connectim to vary the relative positions o! the bar and the thermo-responsive means, and control means operatively connected to one o! said spring, member and bar. l

l5. In a regulator, a snap-actingmechanism, a crossarmoperativelyconnectedtothesnapacting mechanism and movable relative thereto about an axis, control means at each end oi' the cross armincluding a pair of contacts and a conducting member adapted to bridge the contacts, a pivot near each end oi.' the cross arm for connecting one oi said conductor and pair of contacts to the arm for movement about an axis at an angle to the first axis. and means for actuating the snapacting mechanism to move said conductors into engagement with their re spective contacts.

16. A regulator comprising a casing. a bar pivoted near one end in the casing, a flexible strip fixed to the casing near the free end of the bar and extending inwardly therefrom, a member connected to said strip near the inner end thereof and movable relative to the strip about an axis, a conductor carried by said member and movable thereon about an axis at an angle to 'said first axis. a pair of contacts tlxed in the casing and adapted to be bridged by the conductor, a spring confined in compression between the iree end of the bar and the inner end o! the strip with its outer end on one side of the plane ot the strip, the spring being operable to urge the inner end of the strip and said member away from the contacts, and means for actuating the bar to move the outer end of the spring through the plane o! said strip to the other side thereof, whereby the spring snaps the inner end of the strip md said member toward the contacts to engage the conductor therewith.

17. In a regulator, a pair of relatively movable tension members, one o! said members being a bimetallic bar, a compression member connected at one end to one oi' the tension members and at the opposite end to the other tension member and normally maintaining said first members in tension, and thermo-responsive means for actuating the bimetallic bar to move the adjacent end of the compression member through the centerline of the other tension member.

18. In a regulator, a pair oi relatively movable, generally parallel tension members, one oi' said members being a bimetallic bar pivoted at one end, the opposite end oi.' the bar extending obliquely to the body of the bar to compensate variations in the effective length o! the bar due to exing thereof, a compression member connected at one end to said oblique end oi the bar and at the opposite end to the other tension member and normally maintaining said nrst members in tension. and thermo-responsive means for actuating the bimetallic bar to move the adjacent end of the compression member Athrough the centerline oi' the other tension member.

the ber laterally to torce the adjacent end of the spring through the centerline ot the tension member, a control element on the opposite side of the bar. and means extending transversely ot the bar for connecting the tension member and l the control element.

BENSON F. WADDELL. 

